Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor (36 page)

“Yes! I told him everything,” Luis sobbed. “I’m sorry.”

“Well, you’re going to make one more call, and you’re going to say exactly what I tell you to,” AJ said slowly.

The Gulfstream streaked toward the Greek island of Thasos in the northern Aegean with Gia and Tinos at the controls. Dressed in dark slacks and white aviator shirts with shoulder boards sporting gold stripes, they realized it was a thin disguise. Ahead, dirty grey clouds parted revealing a dark outline in the vast steel blue of the Aegean. Tinos put a map back in the seat pocket.

“That’s it, dead ahead. Better wake up your boyfriend,” Tinos said, smiling and pointing over his shoulder to the cabin. “I’ll take the controls.”

Gia unbuckled her five-point harness and slipped out of the pilot's seat. She headed into the cabin, but not before giving Tinos a playful slap to the back of the head.

“Are you ready for this?” Gia said as she approached AJ.

He basked in the radiance of her smile. Dressed in a simple outfit of dark slacks and a white blouse she was stunning, even with the bandage on her head. She knows me too well, AJ thought, as he decided how to answer.

“Ready as I’m going to be,” he replied. His bloodless face exposed the extent of his fear.

Perching on the armrest of the seat across from him, she held his gaze. “Look AJ, why you don’t you let the authorities handle this? Tinos can …”

“The authorities don’t give a damn about Ceres,” AJ said, his voice dripping with resignation. “Tinos would do what’s right but it’s up to me to get Ceres back.”

“OK,” Gia said. “Then stick with the plan ... and try not to screw it up.”

She patted his arm and then kissed him on the cheek. “That’s for luck.” She stood, hesitated for a moment then taking a step closer kissed him full on his unsuspecting lips. “And that’s for keeps. Be careful.”

A nervous laugh was all AJ could muster before Tinos came on the intercom saying, “We’re ready to start our descent, guys.”

Gia gave him a wave and headed back to the flight deck.

The Gulfstream came in low over the red tiled roofs of Limenas, largest town on the island and a moment later, they were on the ground. A concrete runway, three rusting hangers, and a modest terminal, relics of the war were the airfield’s only features.

The twin-engine jet taxied toward the largest hanger where a signalman directed it to a parking spot on the tarmac. Gia cut the engines as Tinos sprang from his seat, snugged on a blue a cap, and opened the jet’s door.

Two uniformed men approached plane, and Tinos met them at the bottom of the steps. He handed them their passports and explained his client was visiting the island on business.

“So much business today, it’s unusual,” the older of the two immigration officers said, pointing to a Bombardier Global 5000 inside the hanger. “I believe that man is waiting for your passenger.” He nodded toward a broad-shouldered man standing by the hanger’s personnel door. Tinos recognized Michael Verde from the surveillance video and waved. Verde continued to lean against a rusty steel pillar, ignoring Tinos’ greeting.

AJ blew Gia a kiss and bounded down the steps where Tinos met him at the bottom.

“Everything set?” AJ asked.

“I guess so. Your welcoming committee’s over there. That’s Verde,” Tinos said as he handed AJ his passport. “I’m not happy with you going in there unarmed. What if there’s a double cross? Take my piece or let me go with you.”

“You know that won’t work. They’re sure to frisk me. Stick with the plan,” AJ said, wishing he hadn’t. “Look,” he said, turning to face his friend, “If this doesn’t work out, you get her to safety. Promise me.”

“I promise,” Tinos replied. “But you’ll be flying out of here with her and your friend soon. Now get out of here, you bum.”

“So long, Tinos. Thanks.” AJ turned away and walked directly to Verde.

Unlike the pothole-ridden roads of Thasos, the estate’s private drive was wide and smooth. As the Mercedes topped a small hill, a large stone and timber house came into view. The big car slowed as it climbed a small rise to a covered portico where a tall, muscular man waited. He opened AJ’s door as the car stopped.

“Welcome to Costa Nopia,” the man, said. “I’m Karl, Mr. Solaris’ assistant. The burly man had an obvious bulge under his right arm. A maid holding a silver tray of cool drinks was next to Karl. AJ ignored her and tried to go inside but the mountain of flesh named Karl, stepped in front of him.

“I will check you for weapons sir,” Karl said almost apologetically.

AJ shrugged and extended his arms to the side. After a thorough pat down, AJ followed the servant into a bright, airy corridor.

“Are the others here?” AJ asked as they walked through the house.

“Not yet, sir,” the maid replied.

He followed the woman down a wide hall, then through a set of glass doors onto a sunny terrace. A fountain in a stone niche burbled in the shade of the house. Wide marble slabs on the ground and a low rock wall extended across the back of the house. Wicker chaises and sofas with plush cushions, and marble tables furnished the outdoor room. A dozen cypress trees flanked the terrace and focused the view toward a distant snow covered peak.

“Please wait here,” the maid said and then disappeared into the house.

AJ took in the view as he tried to settle his nerves. Solaris’ retainer on site wasn’t surprising but it worried him. He looked at the distant mountain covered in green and white as his mind raced.

“That’s Mount Ipsario,” a familiar voice said. AJ turned to find Anna Arons emerging from the house, her ebony cane firmly in her hand. “It’s 1,206 meters high. There’s a beautiful waterfall up there,” Anna said. “Welcome to my summer residence Mr. Pantheras.”

“When will the others be here?” AJ said. He was in no mood for social pleasantries. 

“I’m told they will arrive shortly. May I get you something to drink?” Anna asked. “Sophia will get one for you.”

“No, thank you,” AJ responded.

“Mineral water perhaps?” Anna insisted.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” AJ said turning the conversation to business.

“You called me. You asked for my help, to use my home, why would I not be here?” Anna said. “Ceres is my friend, too.” She led the way to the main sofa, shaded by the sweet-smelling cypress.

“You’re behind all this?” AJ said.

“Not so much behind as, shall we say, accidently involved,”

Anna replied. “Are you sure, you won’t have a drink. You look like you could use one,” Anna said, toasting AJ with a glass of white wine.

“No, thank you,” AJ said, regaining his composure. “I would like to sit down, though.” He felt the familiar sick ache churning in his stomach.

“Not there,” Anna cautioned. “You will like the seat on the end better,” she said. “You will find it most comforting,” Anna said.

AJ sat down and quickly realized why Anna had directed him to this particular spot. He slipped his hand under the cushion, found a plastic bag, and pulled it out. It contained his .45 and Dobos’ .22 Pug palm gun.

“Conceal those quickly if you would. I’m not sure how long my housekeeper, can distract Solaris’ thug.” Anna said taking another sip of wine as she looked toward the house.

“I imagine, it would have been embarrassing for one of your other guests to find these,” AJ said as he quickly checked the .45 and slipped in the back of his slacks.

“I wasn’t sure what would happen if you didn’t arrive first,” Anna said. “It was difficult to manage after that hulking brute arrived at our door. I was quite taken by the young policeman who brought those, by the way. He’s from a good family in Thessaloniki. Thank you for sending him to me,” she said trying to sound aloof and unperturbed.  

“I don’t know much about him. I only met Captain Vlacos recently,” AJ replied.

“Mr. Pantheras, I certainly hope you know how to use those items,” Anna said as she watched AJ settle back into his seat.

“I do. I won’t miss,” AJ replied.

“I knew I could count on Lieutenant John’s grandson,” Anna said. My son and I need your help to be rid of a pest,” she said taking a sip of wine.

“I counted on Ceres’ friend and you came through, but I didn’t come here to help you. I came here …”

“To free your friend,” Anna said. “I want that too, but to achieve your goal, we have to work together.”

“I don’t see…”

“Of course you don’t,” Anna said. Her manner was abrupt but soft. “My family has worked behind the scenes for decades. No one sees us, and we want it kept that way. One of our, shall we call him a client, while enriching our bottom line has become a liability. In my business, you eliminate liabilities. Mistakes have been made and …”

“Mistakes! What exactly is your business? You facilitate kidnapping, murder …”

“No … as I said. Our client …”

“Your client has attacked Ceres twice and kidnapped him. I’ve been his target twice so far. He had my father killed, and I don’t know how many others.”

“I’m trying to make up for that Mr. Pantheras. Let’s keep a united front for now. As to my business, well that’s sort of a family trade secret.”

“What are you, Mafia?”

“That’s from another country, dear boy but no, nothing as melodramatic as that. My late husband found there was profit in aiding those who couldn’t go to traditional financial institutions,” Anna said.

“You’re not organized crime, but you finance it. Is that it?” AJ was agitated.

“My husband began helping grey market entrepreneurs after the war. He attracted quite a client list, and today many of those men are very wealthy. My family helped these people get started, and now we manage their fortunes.”

“So you’re financial consultants to Murder Inc.,” AJ said. “That’s all very enlightened, even if it is a tad Machiavellian, and you have your son in the family business, too. You must be so proud.”

“No, it’s nothing like that. We’re simply bankers,” Anna laughed and smiled as she slowly shook her head. “You amuse me, Mr. Pantheras,” Anna said with a smile as she took another sip of wine.

“No offense, but the feeling isn’t mutual. Can we get on with our business?”

“Certainly, your first priority is …”

“My first priority is to get Ceres back and guarantee his safety. Do that and I’ll do anything you want,” AJ said, not quite believing what he’d just said. “Thank you for honoring our agreement, Madame Arons,” AJ said. “I’ll do my best to hold up my end.”

“You’re recording our conversation I assume?” Anna asked.

“We don’t really want a record of what’s going to happen, do we?” AJ chortled.

The whine of an engine outside signaled a car arriving at the portico. Anna turned toward the house, then paused another moment. “We understand each other then. Let me do the negotiating on this, please. I know what this man is like.”

A moment later, Sophia led an older man followed by a man in his forties on to the terrace. Verde followed, pushing Ceres in a wheelchair, followed by Karl, the huge bodyguard AJ had encountered at the front door.

“Welcome to Costa Nopia,” Anna said, rising as her guests arrived. She greeted the younger man with a kiss on each cheek and turning to AJ said, “This is my son, Rafael.”

AJ gave the Italian banker a curt nod.

“And you would be the interesting Mr. Solaris,” Anna said as she approached the older man. “At last we meet,” Anna extending her hand as she approached the man. She did not look toward Ceres.

In contrast, AJ couldn’t take his eyes off his friend. His face was as mask of bloody purple. His eyes were black and swollen shut, his nose was broken, and he could barely raise his head. AJ felt his anger boil. Anna may have facilitated, but Solaris was the incarnate evil behind it all.

AJ turned away from Ceres to size up his adversary. He was a slight, gaunt man who stood apart from the others. A crooked walking stick helped him compensate for an obviously stiff right leg. He had a fringe of white hair, part of which he had combed over the top of his head. Parallel to and about an inch above the right arm of his silver wire rim glasses ran a wine-color keloid scar. His face was slight and narrow but trenched with age. Thin bloodless lips were lost under a thick handlebar mustache and hard green eyes. With his pressed linen slacks, open collared shirt, and double-breasted navy sport coat he looked as though he was on the deck of his yacht. He strode stiffly to greet Anna and said, “An unexpected pleasure Madam Arons. To what do we owe the honor?”

“This is my home and I’m here to facilitate your business,” Anna said. “You’ve seen fit to violate our arrangement by involving my son directly in your business. I want to make clear this will not occur in the future and conclude this affair.”

The Cheshire cat smile disappeared from Solaris’ face, and his true nature seeped through as he held Anna’s hand a moment too long.

“For years I’ve made millions for your family. Do not interfere now,” Solaris snarled, his eyes narrowing. “It would not be … healthy.”

Anna drew her hand back as if she’d been jolted by electricity.

“And this would be young Pantheras,” Solaris said, turning to look directly at AJ. He did not offer his hand. “Here’s your friend, if you have the price,” he said indicating the mangled Ceres.

“I have it, but not with me, of course,” AJ said.